Mounting device for use outdoors

Abstract

A mounting device includes a first male threaded fastening member such as a lag screw and a second male threaded fastening member such as a bolt. The male threaded fastening members are secured to one another through a joining member such as a bolt and female threaded fastening members such as wingnuts or star knobs. Tightening the female threaded fastening members fixes an angle between the male threaded fastening members without the use of tools. The first male threaded fastening member typically mounts to a tree, a post, or the ground and the second male threaded fastening member typically mounts to a camera or other electronic device. Adapters can secure the mounting device to steel fence posts or step-in posts. An internal spacing device with a flange prevents wear and tear of components of the mounting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mounting device comprising:
 a first male threaded fastening member; 
 a second male threaded fastening member secured to the first male threaded fastening member with a male threaded joining member and a female threaded fastening member; 
 a first hook surrounding a threaded portion of the male threaded joining member; 
 a second hook surrounding the threaded portion of the male threaded joining member; and 
 a nylon or rubber spacer:
 (i) including a flange preventing the first hook from contacting the second hook; 
 (ii) being at least partially surrounded by the first hook and the second hook, 
 (iii) encompassing the threaded portion of the male threaded joining member, and 
 (iv) being located at least partially between the first male threaded fastening member and the second male threaded fastening member; 
 
 wherein the first male threaded fastening member is adapted to mount to an outdoor structure and the second male threaded fastening member is adapted to secure an object thereto; and 
 wherein tightening the female threaded fastening member is possible without the use of tools and tightening the female threaded fastening member fixes an angle between the first male threaded fastening member and the second male threaded fastening member. 
 
     
     
       2. The mounting device of  claim 1  wherein either the first male threaded fastening member or the second male threaded fastening member is a bolt or a lag screw. 
     
     
       3. The mounting device of  claim 1  wherein the male threaded joining member is a bolt. 
     
     
       4. The mounting device of  claim 1  wherein the female threaded fastening member is a wingnut or a star knob. 
     
     
       5. A system comprising:
 the mounting device of  claim 1 ; 
 an object mounted to the second male threaded fastening member of the mounting device; and 
 an outdoor structure in which the first male threaded fastening member of the mounting device is mounted to. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  wherein the outdoor structure is a U-channel post, a tree, or the ground. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5  wherein the outdoor structure is a step-in post inserted into the ground and the system further comprises a step-in post adapter encompassing a portion of the step-in post to facilitate securement between the step-in post and the mounting device. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5  wherein the outdoor structure is a T-post or Y-post and the system further comprises a T-post adapter or a Y-post adapter encompassing a portion of the T-post or the Y-post to facilitate securement between the step-in post and the mounting device. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 5  wherein the object is a camera or a tablet. 
     
     
       10. A method of mounting the mounting device according to  claim 1  comprising:
 securing the first male threaded fastening member to an outdoor structure; 
 securing the second male threaded fastening member to an object; and 
 preventing movement of the object after securing the second male threaded fastening member. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  further comprising tightening the female threaded fastening member. 
     
     
       12. A mounting device comprising:
 a first male threaded fastening member; 
 a second male threaded fastening member secured to the first male threaded fastening member with a male threaded joining member and a female threaded fastening member; 
 a first hook surrounding a threaded portion of the male threaded joining member; 
 a second hook surrounding the threaded portion of the male threaded joining member; and a nylon or rubber spacer:
 (i) being at least partially surrounded by the first hook and the second hook, 
 (ii) encompassing the threaded portion of the male threaded joining member, and 
 (iii) being located at least partially between the first male threaded fastening member and the second male threaded fastening member; 
 
 wherein the first male threaded fastening member is adapted to mount to an outdoor structure and the second male threaded fastening member is adapted to secure an object thereto; and 
 wherein tightening the female threaded fastening member is possible without the use of tools and tightening the female threaded fastening member fixes an angle between the first male threaded fastening member and the second male threaded fastening member. 
 
     
     
       13. A mounting device comprising:
 a first male threaded fastening member; 
 a second male threaded fastening member secured to the first male threaded fastening member with a male threaded joining member and a female threaded fastening member; 
 a first hook surrounding a threaded portion of the male threaded joining member; 
 a second hook surrounding the threaded portion of the male threaded joining member; and 
 a nylon or rubber spacer:
 (i) including a flange preventing the first hook from contacting the second hook; 
 (ii) being at least partially surrounded by the first hook and the second hook, 
 (iii) encompassing the threaded portion of the male threaded joining member, and 
 (iv) being located at least partially between the first male threaded fastening member and the second male threaded fastening member; 
 
 wherein the first male threaded fastening member is adapted to mount to an outdoor structure and the second male threaded fastening member is adapted to secure an object thereto; and 
 wherein tightening the female threaded fastening member is possible without the use of tools and tightening the female threaded fastening member fixes an angle between the first male threaded fastening member and the second male threaded fastening member; 
 wherein the male threaded joining member includes a wingnut or a star knob at an end opposite where the male threaded joining member attaches to the female threaded fastening member.